Machine for splitting ratan.



No. 723,859. PATENTBD MAR. 31, 190-3.

0. w. GAY. MACHINE FOR SPLITTING RATAN.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 11, 1901.

, a sums-sum 1.

H0 MODEL.

WITNESSES: 9M6? ATTORNEY S' PAT-EDITED MAR. S1, 1903.

0. W. GAY. MACHINE FOR SPLITTING RATANi 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I APPLICATION FILED MAR. 11, 1901'.

H0 MODEL.

INVENTOR WITNESSES:

8 ATTORNEYS 9% SM SW 1 0. 12s,s59. 4 PATENTBDMAR. 31,1903.

c. w. GAY.

' MACHINE FOR S PLITTIN G RATAN.

urmquzon FILED MAR. '11, 1901.

I0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3,.

WITNESSES: v INVENTORY y ATTORNEYS? PETERS cu, PHOTO-LHH1L. WASHINGTON.a c.

UNITED STATES :PATENT FFICE.

OHAUNCEY W. GAY, OF WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO JULIANPOMEROY, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS,

MAICHINE F OR SPLITTING RATAN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 723,859, dated March31, 1903. Application filed March 11, 1901. Serial No. 50,610. Nomodel.)

To all whom, itwtoty concern:

Be it known that I, GHAUNCEY W. GAY, a citizen of the United States,residing in the town of West Springfield and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines forCutting or Splitting Stalks or Strips of Ratan, Wood, or any SimilarMaterial, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a machine for cutting or splitting stalks orstrips of ratan, wood, or any similar material, and more particularly toa machine for splitting ratan or similar stalks into uniformly-taperingsectorshaped strips which are adapted for use in the manufacture ofwhips, fishing-rods, or similar articles.

My invention has for an object to provide a machine whereby the stalksof material may be so split into a plurality of strips uniform in sizeand shape that two complete whips or similar articles may be constructedfrom each stalk with a minimum Waste of material.

Other objects of my invention are to improve and simplifyand cheapen theconstruction of machinery of the class referred to and render the samemore perfect and reliable in operation than the machines heretoforeconstructed.

These and other objects of my invention will be more fully set forth inthe following in, to explain the principles thereof and the best mode inwhich I have contemplated those principles.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation, partlyin longitudinal central section, illustrating a machine constructed inaccordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same.Fig.

3 is an elevation of the part of the machine shown to the right inl 'igl as seen from a point looking toward the right. Fig. 4 is a plan viewof the machine.

Like reference-numerals refer to like parts wherever they occurthroughout the several figures.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated two sets of cutters areprovided, each set comprising two cutters arranged to split the materialin the directions of its length in planes at right angles to each other,so as to divide the material into quarters, and means are. providedwhereby a revolving or angular motion may be maintained between thematerial being fed through the machine and one of the sets of cutters,so that that set of cut ters will cut the material on a diagonal orspiral line, the speed and extent of the motion being so timed that thediagonal line upon which the material is cut will extend a quarter of arevolution around the material. The other set of cutters are arranged tocut the material in straight lines, so that when the material has passedthrough both sets of cutters it will be divided into eight uniformstrips, which are sector-shaped throughout their length and taperingfrom a quarter of acircle at the thick end toa point at the other end.It will be seen that these strips may be used in constructing two whipsor similar articles in the ordinary manner.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated one of the sets of cuttersis operatively mounted in a fixed position with relation to the path ofthe material to the machine and the other set of cutters, and thefeed-rollers are so mountedupon revoluble frames or supports that theymay be rotated around the path of the material. 7

Referring now to the drawings in detail, 1 represents the frame of themachine, the same being provided at its opposite ends with the uprightstandards 2 and 3. The standard 2 is provided with a. circular recess inwhich a revolving frame or support-41s mounted, said frame being held inposition by means of a plate 5, rigidly secured to the standard 2. Inthe embodiment of my invention illustrated one set of the cutters andone set of the devices for feeding the material through the machine aremounted upon this revolving support4. As shown, a pair of rotary cuttersin the form of circular saws 6 and 7. are each journaled in suitablebrackets 8 and 9, respectively. These cutters 6 and 7 are arranged atright angles to each other in planes which intersect each other at thecenter line of the path of the material through the machine. In. orderto properly direct the material past the cutters 6 and 7, a tubularguide member 10 is arranged on the carrier 4 in line with the axisthereof, said guide member being suitably slotted to receive the cutters6 and 7. For the purpose of feedingthe material to this set of cutters aset of feed-rollers 11 and 12 are provided, and in the construc tionshown these feed-rollars are mounted upon the support 4, so as torevolve with the cutters around the path of the material. Thefeed-rollers l1 and. 12 are grooved on their operative faces, so as tofirmly grasp the material, and are journaled on opposite sides of thecenter of the frames 4, so as to feed the material in the direction ofthe axis of said frame. These rollers 11 and 12 are journaled in thebrackets 13 and 14 and are geared together by the gears 15, as shown, soas to rotate in unison in opposite directions. In order to drive thefeed-rollers 11 and 12 and at the same time permit of their revolutionaround the path of the material, the following mechanism is provided. Aring gear or rack 16 is concentrically mounted with relation to theframe 4 in a suitable groove or recess in the standard 2, and the teethof the rack of the gear 16 are so cut as to adapt them to mesh with apinion 17, fixed to the shaft 18 of one of the feed-rollers, as shown.The gear 16 is driven by a pinion 19, which is journaled in a verticalposition in a bracket 20, carried by the standard 2, and is driven fromthe driving-shaft 21 of the machine by a pair of beveled gears 22. Itwill be seen by this construction that the feed-rollers will becontinuously driven irrespective of the motion of the frame 4.

The second set of cutters 26 and 27 in the machine shown are operativelymounted in a fixed position with relation to the path of the material.To this end these cutters are mounted in brackets 28 and 29, which arecarried by the supporting-plate 30, rigidly secured to the inner side ofthe standard 3, as shown. These cutters 26 and 27 are arranged in planeswhich are at right angles to each other, and preferably, as shown, theseplanes are at a slight angle to the center line of the material, for apurpose hereinafterdescribed. In order to guide the material past thecutters 26 and 27, the supporting-plate 30 is provided with a tubularguide member3l, which is in line with and forms an extension of theguide member 10. A pair of feed-rollers 32 and 33 are arranged at therear of the machine to feed the material in conjunction with the rollers11 and 12 and to carry it past the cutters after it leaves the first setof feedrollers. In order that this set of feed-rollers 32 and 33 may berevolved around the path of the material in unison with the first set offeed-rollers, they are mounted on a frame 34, which is journaled in asuitable recess in the standard 3, as shown. The feed-rollers 31 and 32are journaled in the brackets 35 and 36 and are geared together by thegears 37. These rollers are provided with a driving mechanism similar tothat already described in connection with the first set of feed-rollers.This driving mechanism consists of a ring gear 38, which meshes with agear 39, fixed to the shaft 40 of the roller 33. The drivingpinion 41 isprovided to continuously rotate the gear 38, said pinion 41 being drivenfrom the driving-shaft 21 by means of the beveled gears 42, transverseshaft 43, and beveled gears 44 and 45.

In splitting the material in the manner described for the purpose ofmaking whips it is desirable that the strips which are cut from thematerial shall be full size for a portion of their length, so as toproperly form the butt of the whip. In order that this may beaccomplished, the cutters of one set should be held in the same planesas the cutters of the other set for a .short time after the mate rialenters the machine and also for a short time before the material leavesthe machine, the revolving or angular motion between one set of themembers and the material being maintained only during the time that theintermediate portion of the material is passing the cutters. In orderthat this may be accomplished, it is necessary that the revolving orangular movement between the material and one set of the cutters beintermittent and accurately timed with relation to the feed of thematerial. In the machine shown this is accomplished by giving the frames4 and 34, upon which the sets of feedrollers and one set of the cuttersare mounted, an intermittent revolving motion and timing this motionwith relation to the speed of the feed mechanism. As shown, a pair ofcams and 51 are mounted on 'a shaft 52, which is suitably journaled inthe standards 2 and 3. Suitable connections are provided between thecams 50 and 51 and the frames 4 and 34. These connections, as shown,consist of the rods 53 and 54, which are pivoted at one end to theframes 4 and 34, respectively, and are bifurcated at their lower end toembrace the shaft 52, suitable studs and rollers 55 and 56 beingprovided to engage the cams. The cams are provided with low concentricportions 57, intermediate inclined portions 58, and outer concentricportions 59. The shaft, together with the cams, is rotated by means of aworm-wheel 60, which meshes with a worm (31, fixed to the drive-shaft21. It will be seen from this construction that as the cams rotate theframes 4 and 34 will be held stationary while the low parts 57 of thecams are passing the stud-rollers 55 and 56, and will be given a partialrevolution while the inclined portions 58 of the cams are in IIOoperation, and will be held stationary again while the high concentricportions 59 are in operation, and will be returned to their originalpositions while the steepinclined portions 62 are passing thestud-rollers and 56. Any suitable means may be provided to return theframes 4 and 34 to their original positions while the portions 62 of thecams are passing. As shown, the frames 4 and 34 are provided with heavyportions 63 for this purpose.

In order that the material maybe fed into the machine at the proper timewith relation to the intermittent revolving motion of 'the frames 4 and34, an automatic stop or gage is provided in advance of the first set offeedrollers. As shown,this gage comprises a member 65, which ispivotally mounted on the bracket 13 and is provided with a segmentwhichmeshes with a pinion 66, secured to the arm 67. The arm 67 extendsoutward past the circumference of the frame 4 and is adapted to engagewith a pair of stops 68 and 69, which project from the face of thestandard 2. These stops 68 and 69 are so positioned upon the standardthat they will engage the arm 67 when the frame 4 is near the limit ofits movement in either direction. When the support 4 returns to itsfirst position, the gage will be moved out of the path of the material,and when the support 5 has completed its forward revolution the gagewill be moved across the path of the material.

For the purpose of driving the cutters 6 and 7 they are provided withdriving-pulleys 7O and 71, respectively, and two sets of'guidingpulleys72 and 73 are mounted onsuitable studs carried by the frame 4 in linewith said driving-pulleys. For the purpose of taking up and letting outthe driving-belts 74 and 75, which pass around these pulleys, asrequired by the revolving motion of the frame 4, two auxiliary sets ofguide-pulleys 76 and 77 are journaled in the frames 78 and 79, which arepivotally mounted at suitable points on the plate-5 and are yieldinglyheld in contact with" the belts by any suitable means, as by theadjustable weights 80 and 81 shown. The cutters.% and 27 are alsoprovided with suitable driving-pulleys 82 and 83, and two sets ofguide-pulleys 84 and 85 are arranged in line with the pulleys 82 and 83,as shown, said guide-pulleys being journaled upon suitable bracketscarried by the fixed supporting-plate 30.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The machine having been setin motion by means of a pulley 86 on the driving-shaft 21, a stalk orstrip of material is passed into the first set of feed-rollers l1 and 12as soon as the gage 65 is removed from the path of the material by thereturn of the revolving frames 4 and 34 to their first positions. Thefeed-rollers will force the material past the cutters, which will dividethe same into quarters, as the cutters of both sets are in line witheach other at this time. When the inclined parts 58 of the cams come inoperation with rollers 55 and 56, however, the first set of cutters,together with the material, will be.- gin to revolve, thus causing thesecond set of cutters to leave the cuts'made by thefirst set of cuttersand cut on diagonal or spiral lines, thus dividing each of thequartersections respon dingly-tapered sections. After the material isrevolved through one-quarter of a formed by the first set" of cuttersinto two correvolution the cuts made by the first set of cutters will bebrought into line with the second set of cutters, and the frames 4 and34 being. then brought to rest the material will be fed past the secondset of cutters and out of the machine by the second'set of feedrollers32 and Upon the completion of the rotary movement of the frames 4 and 34the gage 65 will be brought into the path of the material, thuspreventing the insertion of a second piece until the parts again assumetheir firstf'position.

In order that the second set of cutters 26 and 27 may properly split thestalks without removing too much of the material, they are preferablyarranged at a slight angle to the center line of the material, asindicated in Figs. 1 and 4, the angle at which said cutters are setbeing about equal to the angle upon which the cutters split'the materialwhen the latter is being turned in the machine.

My invention in its broader aspect is not limited to the preciseconstruction shown nor to the precise construction by which it may becarried into effect, as many changes may be made in the constructionwithout departing from the principles of my invention or sacrificing thechief'advantages thereof.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material, thecombinationof one or more cutters in a fixed position, and a revolvingframe adapted to revolve around the path of the material, one or morecutters'carried by the said frame, both the fixed and the revolvingcutters being arranged to split the material, and meansfor feeding thematerial-past the cutters so that'the material is divided by one set ofcutters and is again divided by the other set.

2. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material, thecombination-of one or more cutters in a fixed position, and a revolvingframe adapted to revolve around the path of the material, one or morecutters car' ried by said frame, both the fixed and the revolvingcutters being arranged to split the material in the direction of itslength, means for feeding the material past the cutters so that thematerial is divided by one set of cutters and is again divided by theother set, and means for revolving the material.

3. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material thecombinationof one or more cutters in a fixed position,and a revolvingframe adapted to revolve around the path of the material, one or morecutters carried by said frame, and means for feeding the material pastthe cutters, and means for revolving the material with the revolvingframe.

4.. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material thecombination of a set of cutters in a fixed position, a revolving frameadapted to revolve around the path of the material, a set of cutterscarried by said frame, one set of cutters being arranged to split thematerial on planes coincident with the center line of the material, andthe other set of cutters being arranged to split the material on planesat an angle with the center line of the material, and means for feedingeach piece of the material past both of the sets of cutters,substantially as described.

5. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material thecombination of a set of cutters in a fixed position, a revolving frameadapted to revolve around the path of the material, a set of cutterscarried by said frame, one set of cutters being arranged to split thematerial on planes coincident with the center line of the material, andthe other set of cutters being arranged to split the material on planesat an angle with the center line of the material, the latter set ofcutters and the material being adapted to revolve one with reference tothe other, and means for feeding each piece of the material past both ofthe sets of cutters, substantially as described.

6. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material thecombination of one or more cutters in a fixed position, a guidingtubefor the material provided with slots into which the cutter or cuttersproject, a revolving frame adapted to revolve around the path of thematerial, one or more cutters carried by said frame, a revolvingguiding-tube for the material provided with slots into which therevolving cutter or cutters project, and means for feeding the materialpast the cutters, substantially as described.

7. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material thecombination of one or more cutters in a fixed position, a guiding tubefor the material provided with slots into which the cutter or cuttersproject, a revolving frame adapted to revolve around the path of thematerial, one or more cutters carried by said frame, a revolvingguiding-tube for the material provided with slots into which therevolving cutter or cutters project, and means for simultaneouslyrevolving the material and feeding it past the cutters, sub stantiallyas described.

8.v In a machine for splitting ratan, wood,

or other material the combination of a set of cutters in a fixedposition, a revolving frame adapted to revolve around the path of thematerial,a set of cutters carried by said frame, one set of cuttersbeing arranged to split the material on planes parallel with the centerline of the material, and the other set of cutters being set at an angleto the line of travel of the material and being arranged to split thematerial on planes at an angle with the centerline of the material,andmeans for feeding the material past the cutters, substantially asdescribed.

9. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material, thecombination with a plurality of devices for splitting the material inthe direction of its length, means for causing a relative revolvingmotion between the splitting devices, and means for revolving thematerial while it is being split.

10. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material thecombination with a plurality of cutters so arranged in the path of thematerial as to split the material in the direction of its length, meansfor revolving one or more of the cutters around the path of thematerial, means for feeding each piece of the material past all thecutters and means for revolving the material while it is being fed.

11. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material thecombination with one or more cutters arranged to split the material in aplane or planes at an angle to the center line of the material, of meansfor feeding the material through the machine and means whereby arevolving or angular movement may be maintained between the cutters andthe material.

12. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material thecombination with one or more cutters operatively mounted in a fixedposition with relation to the path of the material, said cutters beingarranged to split the material in a plane or planes at an angle to thecenter line of the material, of means for feeding the material throughthe machine, and means for revolving the material while it is being fed.

13. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material thecombination with a plurality of sets of cutters, certain of said setsbeing arranged to split the material in planes coincident with thecenter line of the material, and other of said sets being arranged tosplit the material in planes at an angle with the center line of thematerial, of means for feeding the material through the machine, andmeans whereby a revolving or angularmovement may be maintained betweenthe last-mentioned set of cutters and the material.

14. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material thecombination with a plurality of sets of cutters, certain of said setsbeing mounted in a fixed position with relation to the path of thematerial and arranged to split the material in planes at an angle withthe center line of the material, of means for revolving other of saidsets of cutters around the path of the material, means for feeding thematerial through the machine, and means for revolving the material whileit is being fed.

15. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material, thecombination with a plurality of cutters so arranged in the path of thematerial as to split the material in the direction of its length, meansfor causing a relative revolving motion between the cutters, a set offeed-rollers for feeding the material through the machine, and means forrevolving said feed-rollers around the path of the material.

16. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material, thecombination with a plurality of cutters so arranged in the path of thematerial as to split the material in the direction of its length, meansfor causing a relative revolving motion between the cutters, a set offeed-rollers for feeding the material through the machine arranged inadvance of the cutters, a second set of feed-rollers arranged in therear of the cutters, and means for simultaneously revolving both sets offeed-rollers around the path of the material.

17. In a machine for splitting ratan, Wood, or other material thecombination with a plurality of sets of cutters so arranged in the pathof the material as to split the material in the direction of its length,of a plurality of sets of feed-rollers for feeding the material throughthe machine, of means for revolving certain of said sets of cutters andboth said sets of feed-rollers around the path of the material.

18. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material thecombination with a plurality of sets of cutters so arranged in the pathof the material as to split the material in the direction of its length,of a set of feed-rollers arranged in advance of the cutters, a secondset of feed-rollers arranged in the rear of the cutters, of means forsimultaneously revolving a set of the cutters and both sets offeedrollers around the path of the material.

19. In a machine for splitting ratan, Wood,

or other material the combination with one or more cutters operativelyarranged in the path of the material, of continuously-operating meansfor feeding the material through the machine, intermittently-operatingmeans for revolving the material While it is being fed, and meanswhereby the admission of the material to the feeding means may beaccurately timed with relation to said intermittently-operating means.

20. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material thecombination with one or more cutters operatively arranged in the path ofthe material, continuously-operating means for feeding the materialthrough the machine, intermittently-operating means for revolving thecutter or cutters around the path of the material, and means whereby theadmission of the material to the feeding means may be accurately timedwith relation to said intermittently-operating means.

21. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material thecombination with a plurality of sets of cutters operatively arranged inthe path of the material, continuously-operating means for feeding thematerial through the machine, intermittently-operating means forrevolving the material and certain of the sets of cutters around thepathof the material, and means whereby the admission of the material tothe feeding means may be accurately timed with relation to saidintermittently-operating means.

22. 'In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material thecombination with a plurality of sets of cutters, a frame in which one ofsaid sets of cutters is mounted, a cam for revolving said frame throughapart of arevolution around the path ofthe material and returning to itsfirst position, of means for feeding the material through the machine,and an automatically-operated stop or gage whereby the feed of thematerial to the machine may be accurately timed with relation to therevolution of said frame.

23. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material thecombination with a set of cutters operatively arranged in the path ofthe material, of a frame on which said cutters are mounted, a cam andconnections for revolving said frame through a part of a revolutionaround the path of the material and returning it to its first position,a set of feedrollers mounted on said frame, a stop or gage mounted onsaid frame in advance of said feed-rollers, an arm foroperatingsaid gageand a set of stops mounted on a fixed'part of the frame for operatingsaid arm. Y

24. In a machine for splitting ratan, wood, or other material thecombination with a frame mounted to revolve around the path of thematerial, a rotary cutter mounted on said frame, a driving-pulley forsaid cutter, a set of guide-pulleys mounted on said frame and a secondset'of guide-pulleys pivotally mounted upon a fixed part of the machine,a driving-belt passing around said pulleys and means for yieldinglyholding the pivotallymounted guide-pulleys in contact with the belt,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

OHAUNCEY W. GAY.

Witnesses:

RALPH W. ELLIs, CARRIE E. BACON.

IIO

